GPs, stigma and the timely diagnosis of dementia : a qualitative exploration. The implications of general practitioners' perceptions of dementia as a stigma for timely diagnosis.

Description

Background
The focus of this study is on how far GPs¿ perceptions of dementia map onto
the components and contributing factors to stigma as described by Link and
Phelan (2001; 2006) and Jones et al. (1984).
Aim
The study explores GPs¿ perceptions of dementia as a stigma, develops a
specific conceptualization of the stigma of dementia and considers implications
for timely diagnosis.
Methods
Data from twenty-three GPs in northern England were collected by semistructured
telephone interviews. Within the context of a qualitative design, a
combined process of grounded theory and framework analysis was adopted to
collect and analyse data.
Results The findings reveal that GPs¿ perceptions of dementia map onto Link and
Phelan and Jones¿ identification of contributing factors and components of
stigma and may hinder timely diagnosis. Three themes emerged reflecting a
dynamic process of making sense of dementia, relating perceptions to oneself
and considering the consequences of dementia. Within those themes, certain
categories had particular salience for GPs, namely the characteristics of the
attribute, existential anxiety and discrimination. The themes and categories are
inter-related and can be considered as parts of a system. Perceived lack of
reciprocity could be detected in most categories which suggests that it is
influential in the social construction of the stigma of dementia.
Conclusion
The data suggest that current conceptualizations of stigma are insufficient to
fully account for the stigma of dementia. A specific conceptualization of the
stigma of dementia is proposed and the implications of GPs¿ perceptions for
timely diagnosis are discussed.

Links & Downloads

1. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/5667

Tags

Lay people

Perceptions

Dementia

Conceptualization

Contributing factors

Timely diagnosis

Stigma

General practitioners ( GPs )

Additional Fields

Identifer	oai:union.ndltd.org:BRADFORD/oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/5667
Date	January 2012
Creators	Gove, Dianne M.
Contributors	Downs, Murna G., Small, Neil A., Newell, Robert J.
Publisher	University of Bradford, School of Health Studies
Source Sets	Bradford Scholars
Language	English
Detected Language	English
Type	Thesis, doctoral, PhD
Rights	<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Licence</a>.